Pope Benedict XVI apologises to victims of abuse

Pope Benedict XVI today took a step forward in dealing with the negative perception of the Catholic Church in the UK by publicly apologising for crimes of abuse carried out by its servants.

The Holy Father made an effort to acknowledge the unacceptable behaviour of some ministers and expressed his ‘deep sorrow’ for their actions.

Pope Benedict XVI appologised to abuse victims. (PA)

He described the incidents as ‘unspeakable crimes’ and said he hopes that the ‘power of Christ’s grace, his sacrifice of reconciliation, will bring deep healing and peace to their lives’.

Speaking at the Mass in Westminster Cathedral today, the 83-year-old added that he was thankful for the efforts being made to deal with the problem ‘responsibly’.

However, the speech did not satisfy Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests spokesman Peter Isely.

‘We don’t need a Pope who is sad about crimes,’ he said. ‘We need a Pope who will prevent crimes. And his words prevent nothing.’

The Pope had earlier met five victims of abuse and expressed his ‘deep and sorrowful shame’ during a 30 minute chat in Westminster.

He spoke of how the people were not angry, but had anger inside them, noting that the crimes were a ‘real betrayal of trust’.

In his speech at Thursday’s Mass in Glasgow’s Bellahouston Park, the Holy Father urged young Catholics to remember that certain things in life will only bring temporary satisfaction.

‘There are many temptations placed before you every day – drugs, money, sex, pornography, alcohol – which the world tells you will bring you happiness, yet these things are destructive and divisive,’ he said.